Terenure to shade tight contest

Deemed a 50-50 game, the AIB league's second semi-final tomorrow is a bit of an enigma wrapped in a puzzle, made more so by the mercurial nature of both teams. That said, both have shown far more consistency of late and typical of the backdrop to this game, they take identikit form-guides into it.

Tradition and history favour Terenure, as they are unbeaten this season at home and you have to go back to the 1992-93 season for Lansdowne's last win over Terenure, albeit a handsome 32-3 victory at headquarters, but that was in the days of Conor O'Shea, Eric Elwood, Gus Aherne and Johnny Sexton, when both sides were in division two.

Since then, Lansdowne have failed to win any of the four division one meetings over the last four years, including a 25-24 win by Terenure at Lansdowne Road this season. Even Lansdowne coach Michael Cosgrave concedes, as does anyone in their club, that Terenure were full value for the win that day.

Terenure's front-row, the youngest in the top flight, have carved a real reputation for themselves this season and have only gone backwards once, at Constitution, but the comparatively grizzled Lansdowne front-row have hit form late. It would be a surprise if either pack achieved a significant superiority.

Terenure's chances of wining should increase in direct proportion to the amount of times Eric Miller gets the ball in his mits, for the more he has possession, the better he plays and the better Terenure play. This applies all the more so if it occurs after several phases, for Terenure are at their best when they play it fast and loose through their quick-rucking game.

By contrast, Lansdowne are possibly a more structured side, whose game hinges more on Colin McEntee picking up off the base of the scrum and breaking the gainline.

The teak-tough little battler Derek Hegarty gives Terenure more of a sniping threat, but thereafter they're pretty similarly endowed. Both outhalves Richard Governey and Barry Everitt are running threats in their own right and the match-up at full-back between the Irish incumbent Girvan Dempsey and wannabee Gordon D'Arcy should be intriguing. In addition to D'Arcy, Lansdowne admittedly might have a better game-breaking card to play in Shane Horgan - almost impossible to contain over 80 minutes on his day - and Ray Niland (six tries in six games).

Lansdowne have been very adept at absorbing pressure, only St Mary's have conceded fewer tries, but then again there's been no grittier team in the top flight than Terenure in this campaign.

It might not be that high-scoring, and it will be a surprise if there's more than a score in it. Terenure's tendancy to win tight matches - they've won three games by a point and six by less than five points - and galvanised by playing in front of their more numerous home support, tends to suggest they might just shade it.

TERENURE COLLEGE: G Dempsey; D Lynagh, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, S Cullen; R Governey, D Hegarty; S Barretto, J Blaney, J Campbell, R Sheriff (capt), C Potts, P O'Malley, E Miller, B Kavanagh.

LANSDOWNE: G D'Arcy; R Niland, S Horgan, G Hamilton, R Dolan; B Everitt, D O'Mahony; R Corrigan, D O'Mahony; R Corrigan, O Ennis, A McKeen, B Cusack, G Quinn, A McCullan, C McEntee, L Toland.

Referee: D Tyndall (Leinster).

Last two years: ('98-99) Terenure 14 Lansdowne 7; ('9900) Lansdowne 24 Terenure 25.

Last five games: Terenure - W L W W W. Lansdowne - W L W W W.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - Richard Governey 3. Lansdowne - Ray Niland 6, Barry Everitt 3.

Leading points scorers: Terenure - David Lynagh 109. Lansdowne - Barry Everitt 150.

Bookies odds (Paddy Powers): 10/11 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Lansdowne.

Forecast: Terenure to win.